Nighthawks: The Player

During the day, Matt Estepp is an unassuming business analyst for Volkswagen. At night, after he has tucked in his one-year-old son, the 34-year-old Round Lake resident heads to a nearby watering hole—usually Duffy’s in Palatine—where he transforms into a Golden Tee wizard, arguably the best in the Midwest. Estepp spends about 25 hours a week playing the popular video golf game, competing for low-stakes cash prizes against other computer-connected entrants and typically winning about $500 to $600 a week. His biggest payout in his six years of playing was $1,400 for taking second place in a recent tournament in Wisconsin. At press time, he held second place in the qualifying round for the Midwest Regional Championships. The finals take place September 1st and 2nd at Harrah’s Casino in Joliet.–GRAHAM MEYER